ません
Japanese
Etymology 1
From ませぬ (masenu), from まらせぬ (marasenu), from まゐらせぬ (mawirasenu), the negative form of 参らす (mawirasu, “to do, to give, to offer”). Negative -ぬ (nu) regularly contracts to -ん (n).
Suffix
ません • (-masen)
- A suffix used to form the polite negative present of a verb. The negative form of the polite suffix -ます (-masu).
- 出来る (dekiru, “to be able”) → 出来ます (dekimasu, “to be able”, formal) → 出来ません (dekimasen, “to be unable”, formal)
Etymology 2
From ませむ (masemu), from まらせむ (marasemu), from まゐらせむ (mawirasemu), the volitional form of 参らす (mawirasu, “to do, to give, to offer”). Classical volitional auxiliary -む (mu) regularly contracts to -ん (n).
The same root also serves as a basis for modern ましょう (mashō), from ませう (maseu), based off of an alternative regular contraction of classical volitional auxiliary -む (mu) to -う (u).
Suffix
ません • (-masen)
- (archaic, Edo period) A suffix used to form the polite volitional of a verb. The volitional form of the polite suffix -ます (-masu).
Synonyms
- ましょう (mashō)
- ませう (maseu)